An Experienced Production…

Recommended by the Hawaii State Society of Washington, DC for Polynesian entertainment, Meki’s Tamure has been performing since 1969. The group is the only local Polynesian dance group based in the Baltimore/Washington area which totally represents Polynesia and has performed often for the Congressman of American Samoa. Meki’s Tamure’s performance history includes a television spot on “The Big Blue Marble” geography educational program, a U.S. Presidential Inauguration Festival, and while in Samoa, a performance for the country’s Head of State at the Royal Family Palace. More recently the group has participated in Virginia Beach’s Festival of Nations, Baltimore’s Artscape Festival and the annual Pacific Fun Day Festival which showcases Polynesian dance groups along the East Coast. This cultural dance group has been invited to perform for the Embassies of Fiji and New Zealand. Over the years Meki’s Tamure has performed at various social clubs, restaurants, educational facilities, churches, fundraisers, senior centers and numerous other cultural events.

An Array of Personalities…

Meki’s Tamure originated and is now based in Baltimore, Maryland. Meki Toalepai came to the United States in the early 1960’s with a traveling Polynesian show. The group was featured on “The Andy Williams Show” and continued on to perform in Las Vegas, California, New York and numerous other places coast to coast. During one of his performances in downtown Baltimore, Meki met JoAnn who had been dancing the hulas since the late 1950’s. The two married soon afterward and founded Meki’s Tamure.

Meki plays numerous instruments, choreographs dances, and makes costumes. He was in one of the more popular early Polynesian dancing groups to perform in the United States and his desire to promote the cultures sparked him to begin the Pacific Fun Day Festival in 1985.

JoAnn has plenty of experience in the entertainment field. She has danced with several big-name acts from Hawaii as well as on television as part of “The Mike Douglas Show.” Today, this lovely lady is frequently featured as a solo performer as she continues to design costumes, teach dances and produce shows for various organizations.

Meki’s Tamure is still run by the Toalepai family and is comprised of local men and women who embrace the spirit of Polynesia and spend many hours practicing its native dances. The group is open to anyone who wishes to learn Polynesian dance specifically to participate in the production.